54 Fun Things to Do in San Francisco – Cool and Unusual Activities

From the renowned Golden Gate Bridge to the iconic Pier 39, San Francisco is a city full of amazing places to visit and tons of cool things to do. Here are 54 fun things to do and cool activities in San Francisco. Experience the city in ways you might never have imagined and be prepared to be amazed, transformed and inspired.

2 – Swing on a rope watching the city

Prepare your smartphones and drag along a good friend to give you a push. Here you can swing while admiring an awe-inspiring view of the San Francisco Bay and downtown SF.

📍 Billy Goat Hill / Kirby Cove / Tank Hill / Lands End / Hippy Tree

3 – Breathe fresh air in Golden Gate Park

Located in the heart of Downtown San Francisco, Golden Gate Park is kind of the twin of Central Park in New York City.

From bison and archery to windmills and a carousel, the Park is one of the city’s greatest treasures. Golden Gate Park is the ultimate haven away from urban chaos.

4 – Jump at House of Air

Inside an old airplane settlement, friends and strangers can play on giant trampolines. House of Air is 8000 square feet of conjoined trampolines that are thoughtfully divided to suit different ages, interests, and activities.

8 – Walk down San Francisco decorated streets

Go away from the usual tourist routes to discover San Francisco’s famous street art and visit the neighborhood with the most important concentration of street art in San Francisco. From Baker Beach to Pier 39, San Francisco is home to thousands of street art masterpieces.

9 – May the Force be with you at Yoda’s Fountain

10 – Walk offshore at Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge’s vaulting, orange arches amidst the rocky shore of the San Francisco Bay have made it one of the West Coast symbol. Today, the bridge is recognized as one of the seven modern wonders of the world.

11 – Have a look at the bridge from Baker Beach

Baker Beach is a public beach on the peninsula of San Francisco. It is primarily known for its unbeatable view on the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin County Headlands.

12 – Escape from Alcatraz Prison

Alcatraz Island located in San Francisco Bay, 2.01 km offshore from San Francisco. Visiting Alcatraz Prison is one of the most valuable experiences of any trip to San Francisco.

Alcatraz is probably the most famous prison in the world. It is located in a island and, due to its isolation from the outside by the cold, strong, hazardous currents of the waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was used as prison from the time of Civil War (1861). You can visit the island reaching it by ferry, in a little under 15 minutes. The ferry leaves from Pier 33, located between the San Francisco Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf.

15 – See most beautiful Homerun at AT&T Park, with San Francisco’s giants

AT&T Park, with its astonishing views and classic design, is home to the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a lefty smash ball up over the 24-foot brick wall and watch it splash into McCovey Cove.

16 – SCREAAAAAAM ! ! ! at Six Flag

Situated in the Bay Area and less than 60 km from either San Francisco or Oakland. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom provides one of the best family experiences, starring some of your favorite superheroes. Getting out of the park can be a pain. Definitely a fun thing to do while traveling to San Francisco.

17 – Join Lucy in the Sky with Diamond at Illegal Image museum

From Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests in the 1960s to rumors about Adderall to improve productivity in startups. San Francisco has a rich drug history. Illegal Image museum aggregate more than 30,000 LSD Hits, collected by Mark McCloud

Credit to MissionLocal

18 – Let your body express itself at The Great Northern

You’ll feel like you’re stepping into magical fantasy land. The sound is amazing, the visuals are mesmerizing, and the bartenders are awesome. Weaving an art deco inspired design, The Great Northern is one of best nightlife spots in San Francisco.

19 – Put your scariest make up at Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos in San Francisco is a community event that has been happening for over 30 years. This traditional Meso-American holiday is dedicated to both dead people and cycle of life.

20 – Watch your step at San Francisco’s stairways

San Francisco stairways are also part of city’s beauty, created by Adah Bakalinsky. These masterpieces will surprise at night as well as during the day. Now Adah is the queen of San Francisco’s majestic and quirky stairways.

Credit to Bored Panda

21 – Lift on a helicopter and praise San Francisco view

San Francisco tours by helicopters are one of the most famous and well-respected activities in the Bay area. It is the most thrilling ways to see the San Francisco Bay. Soar high above the San Francisco cityscape and surrounding vistas.

23 – Taste sugar sandwich at Cream

It may not ever be ideal ice cream weather, but it doesn’t stop San Franciscans from snaking the sweetest stuff at Cream. No more significant childhood memory exists than this delicious ice cream between two out-of-the-oven cookies.

24 – Chill with the seals at Pier 39

Pier 39 is a must do on your list of San Francisco, with sea lions, waterfront dining, street performers, live music and more. Pier 39 San Francisco is one of the most popular destinations for travelers visiting the city. It is full of attractions and you might spend and entire day just there. You can book the pass for all the attractions at Pier 39.

25 – Paddle under San Francisco Bridge

Go under the Golden gate bridge on a paddle board and observe birds, ducks, geese, and turtles. This unique expedition is full of sun and shade spots.

26 – Be impressed by the giant redwoods at Muir Woods

Dedicated to the National Park’s father, John Muir, the Muir Woods National Monument is redwood forest along the Pacific coast that offers views unlike any other. Muir Woods is the perfect location for a day trip outside San Francisco.

28 – Take a shower at Alamere Waterfalls

Alamere Falls is a splendid waterfall that flows directly into the ocean in Point Reyes National Seashore, Northwest of San Francisco in Marin County. It tumbles over fragile shale cliffs at Alamere Creek Beach.

29 – Be amazed by the Audium Theater

Audium Theater with sound-sculptured space is the only theater of its kind, constructed specifically for sound movement.

30 – Slide at Bernal Neighborhood

Hidden by trees near Esmeralda Avenue in Bernal Heights, there is a semi-secret joy ride where hotheads can propel themselves. It is a 35-foot slide that both adults and children can ride.

Credit to Little Hiccups

31 – Smell fresh fruit in Farmer Market at Ferry Building

The 65,000 square foot Farmer Market is organized along a central nave and provides a unique marketplace for bringing together under the same roof, Bay Area products and specialty food supplier. The San Francisco Ferry Building is a former terminal for ferries that go across the San Francisco Bay

32 – Steal the show at The Church of 8 Wheels

8 Wheels is a disco roller rink established in a former church. Visit the church for a ‘rolligious experience,’ in which you can spin and skate all night long in festive suits accompanied by vibrant neon lights.

34 – Musee Mecanique

Located at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco Pier, The Musee Mecanique is an unusual museum and one of the world’s most extensive privately owned collection of vintage mechanical musical instruments and collector’s item arcade machines in their original working.

36 – Head to Lands End Labyrinth

Now children play in the 11 concentric circles’ stone labyrinth, and everyone enjoys the fantastic views. From this point, you have an unbeatable view of Mile Rock Beach.

37 – Listen to live music at Tonga Room

A visit to San Francisco is not fully accomplished if you don’t go to Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. This world-famous venue serves exceptional Polynesian-fusion, family-style cuisine in a unique tropical setting. Be sure to try the city’s best the Mai Tai in the restaurant.

38 – Ramble in Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco is a beautiful and relaxing spot on the east side of Golden Gate Park. It’s the oldest Japanese Tea Garden in the United States.

39 – Hot air ballooning in Napa Bay

Elevate in a hot air balloon ride above Napa Valley’s wine country. Go for an exhilarating sunrise balloon flight over the beautiful Napa Valley. Enjoy a scenic and memorable flight with one of our experienced pilots and join us in celebration at our post-flight champagne breakfast. Napa Valley is also an amazing place for wine lovers, easily reachable on a day trip from San Francisco.

40 – Practice at Urban Putt

Located in the center of San Francisco’s Mission district, Urban Putt is the City’s first and only indoor mini-golf. Throw in excellent food, drink and an unswerving commitment to fun. The best formula for something unique and wonderful.

41 – Sail to Golden Gate Bridge

Admire San Francisco and its surrounding sights from the water on a sailing boat. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, taste champagne and praise the incredible panoramic views of the San Francisco city front.

42 – Feel shameless at St. Stupid’s Day Parade

The St. Stupid’s Day Parade is a San Francisco landmark. This event is a unique occasion to let yourself behave utterly silly for a while, you are eager to wear as ridiculous clothes as possible, shout stupid slogans and you may not worry about people judging you or looking at you like a hooligan.

43 – Dance at Mezzanine nightclub

Mezzanine is a San Francisco venue known for its live performances and private parties as well as a techno and house nightclub. Spreading out over 12,000 feet with a massive capacity dance floor, Mezzanine host a wide variety of live music and DJ performances.

46 – Trek in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County is home to majestic venues and premier lodging. Known for its plunging waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, giant sequoia trees, etc. you can easily spend weeks to explore Yosemite National Park. The shoulder season in the Park means merely fewer people and a chance to see Yosemite’s beauty from different angles.

47 – Spend a day at Ghirardelli Square

Formerly a Chocolate Factory, Ghirardelli Square is now home to a stylish collection of shops and restaurants one of the most pleasant places to stroll and shop in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco.

48 – Sample real California Sushi in Chinatown

The most massive Chinatown in America. Chinatown is one of the most famous attractions in San Francisco, and for a good reason. It is easy to spend a day here, exploring the streets and alleys filled with Asian culture, browsing the shops and enjoying the authentic Chinese food. Being one of the most eccentric and fascinating quarter of San Francisco, there are may offers for walking tours and food tours.

49 – Ride on cable cars in downtown San Francisco

Unbeatable views. Unforgettable trips. No experience is more uniquely San Francisco than a ride on a cable car. It is still real working transportation up the steep hills of the city.

50 – Go swimming at Grey Whale Cove Beach

The beach (also known as Devil’s Slide) features a protected cove surrounded by cliffs that drop directly into the Pacific Ocean. A pleasant walk from Montara Beach to Gray Whale Cove Beach brings excellent views of the Pacific.

51 – Google your trip to Silicon Valley

Located in the south end of San Francisco Bay, the Silicon Valley is home to the heart and soul of computer technology. Geeks from around the world make a daily excursion to the Silicon Valley. Discover your inner geek when you travel there.

52 – Spin at DNA Lounge

Located on San Francisco’s Soma district’s edge and open since 1985, DNA Lounge is a well-decorated two-level venue. One of the city’s most popular nightclubs for over thirty years, hosting an always-eclectic variety of events, including live music, 18+ dance parties, burlesque shows and private parties.

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